Dolores Rose Wilson

Dolores Rose Wilson of Nokomis, Florida was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 28, 1927 and passed away on April 15, 2026 at the age of 98. She moved to the Venice area in 1947 from Willougby, Ohio where she attended Riverside Elementary, John Marhsall Jr. High School both in Cleveland and Willoughby Union High School in 1946.  She then attended Florida State University from 1949-1952 where she earned her B.S. in Physical Education.  Dolores was President of the Tarpon Club, “F” Club, lettered in Field Hockey, Garnett Key now Gold Key Leadership, DGWS National Rated Official in volleyball, basketball, swimming and ARC certified water safety instructor.  Dolores attended Florida State University from 1957-1958 and earned her MS Degree in Guidance and Physical Education. She was a graduate assistant in Women’s Intramurals.

She was a teacher from 1952-1997 with 21 of those years in Sarasota County. Dolores was proud of her many accomplishments. Dolores taught at Edward L. Constance Jr. Sr. High from ‘52- ‘54 where she was the P.E. Teacher and cheerleading sponsor; 54- 57 Balboa Jr. Sr. High as the P.E. Teacher, cheerleader sponsor, synchronized swimming coach; 58- ’59 Concord College in West Virginia where she was an Assistant Professor, cheerleader coach and synchronized swimming coach; ’60-’72 at Kent State University in Ohio where she served as assistant professor in P.E. and served as the Women’s Swimming Team Coach from 1960-1964 and also was the Woman’s Aquatic Director, Sharks Club Advisor, 2nd National Collegiate Swimming Meet Director, 1961 speaker at the Women’s National Aquatic Forum, 1963 official at the Pan American Swimming Trials, wrote articles in DGWS Swimming Guides, 1972 official at AAU National Women’s Track  & Field, ’74  P.E. teacher at Poinciana Elementary in Boynton Beach, ’77 P.E. teacher and safety patrol advisor.  From 1982-1994 Dolores worked at Venice High School in many departments. She was the PE Teacher, Guidance Counselor, girls volleyball coach and track coach.

Dolores was involved with the following clubs; President of Nokomis Elementary PTA, President of Venice Jr High PTO, Pop Warner Board of Directors, “Y” Soccer Coach, Lettermans Club at FSU, Sarasota FSU Boosters Club, Calusa Lakes Country Club and volunteer at Garden Elementary School, Laurel-Nokomis School, Venice High School and Van Wezel school time usher.

She is survived by her two sons, Kent Wilson of Nokomis, Scott Wilson of Sarasota and five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Stu Wilson in 2004.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Venice on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be private at Venice Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice Foundation, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238 or to a local humane society.  Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.  To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com .